Dave MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -1 1/2

U.S. President Bill Mitchell (Kevin Kline) has created a potential national scandal that his chief of staff, Bob Alexander (Frank Langella), recognizes as a vehicle to become president himself. The womanizing, deceptive president has suffered a massive stroke while in bed with a staff secretary. President look-alike Dave Kovic (also Kevin Kline) has been hired to stand in for the president at a brief public appearance the night of the indiscretion. Suddenly, Dave is whisked away to the White House, told that he will have to play the part of the president to cover up the truth. Only the chief of staff, press secretary and two secret service agents share the secret - not even First Lady Ellen Mitchell (Sigourney Weaver) knows her husband has been replaced with an imposter. Needless to say, their marriage was not made in heaven. She devotes her life to children's causes and resents her husband's pretenses and philandering ways. How long can Dave, a very humble, hard working business man, fool the first lady, the cabinet and the American public? DAVE is hilarious, clever entertainment that pokes fun at politicians and government.

Seeing an ordinary man literally thrown into the position of the most powerful person in the free world fulfills a lot of fantasies. Dave starts to make a difference as he balances the budget, cuts through special interest legislation and actually smiles for the camera. All too simple, of course, and soon his good work backfires. When the charade is over, Dave recognizes that if he really wants to make a difference, he must start working at the grass roots level - a good lesson for all of us who complain about our elected officials. Intermingled with that positive message are two regular profanities, some obscenities, one brief sexual intercourse scene and rear male nudity once. Except for these offensive elements, DAVE offers adult entertainment on a higher level than other recent tasteless films.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Warner Brothers, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522